the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第14节
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treacherous instincts。
For some time after this occurrence I failed to regard the subject of
demons and allied Forces in any but a spirit of complete no enthusiasm；
but more recently my interest and research have been enlarged by the zeal
and supernatural conversation of a liberal…minded person who sought my
prosaic society with indefatigable persistence。 When we had progressed to
such a length that the one might speak of affairs without the other at once
interposing that he himself had also unfortunately come out quite destitute
of money； this stranger； who revealed to me that his name was Glidder； but
that in the company of a certain chosen few he was known intimately as
the Keeper of the Salograma； approached me confidentially； and inquired
whether we of our Central Kingdom were in the habit of receiving
manifestations from the spirits of those who had Passed Beyond。
At the unassumed ingenuousness of this remark I suffered my
impassiveness to relax； as I replied with well…established pride that
although a country which neglected its ancestors might doubtless be able
to produce more of the ordinary or graveyard spectres； we were
unapproachable for the diverse forms and malignant enmity of our
apparitions。 Of invisible beings alone； I continued tolerantly； we had the
distinction of being harassed by upwards of seven hundred clearly…defined
varieties； while the commoner inflictions of demons； shades； visions；
warlocks； phantoms； sprites； imps； phenomena； ghosts； and reflections
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passed almost without comment； and touching our admitted national
speciality of dragons； the honour of supremacy had never been questioned。
At this； the agreeable person said that the pleasure he derived from
meeting me was all…excelling； and that I must certainly accompany him to
a meeting…place of this same chosen few the following evening； when； by
the means of sacred expedients； they hoped to invoke the presence of
some departed spirits； and perchance successfully raise a tangible vision or
two。 To so fair…minded a proposal I held myself acquiescently； and then
inquired where the meeting…place in question was destined to bewhether
in a ruined and abandoned sanctuary； or upon some precipitous spot of
desolation。
The inquiry was gracefully intended； but a passing cloud of unworthy
annoyance revealed itself upon the upper part of the other's expression as
he replied； 〃We； the true seekers； despise theatrical accessories； and； as a
matter of act； I couldn't well get away from the office in time to go
anywhere far。 To…morrow we meet at my place in the Camden Road。 It's
only a three…half…penny tram stage from the Euston and Tottenham Court
corner； so it couldn't be much more convenient for you。〃 He thereupon
gave me an inscribed fragment of paper and mentioned the appointed hour。
〃I'll tell you why I am particularly anxious for you to come to…
morrow；〃 he said as we were each departing from one another。 〃Pashhe's
the Reader of the Veda among usand his people have got hold of a Greek
woman （they SAY she is a princess； of course）； who can do a lot of things
with flowers and plate glass。 They are bringing her for the first time to…
morrow； and it struck me that if I have YOU there already when they
arriveyou'll come in your national costume by the way？it will be a
considerable set…off。 Since his daughter was presented to the duchess at
the opening of a bazaar； there has been no holding Pash； why he was ever
elected Reader of the Books； I don't know。 Erwe have had scoffers
sometimes； but I trust I may rely upon you not to laugh at anything you
may not happen to agree with？〃
With conscientious dignity I replied that I had only really laughed
seven times in my life； and therefore the entertainment was one which I
was not likely to embark upon hastily or with inadequate cause。 He
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immediately expressed a seemly regret that the detail had been spoken；
and again assuring him that at the stated hour I would present myself at the
house bearing the symbol engraved upon the card； we definitely parted。
That； as a matter of fact； I did not so present myself at the exact hour；
chiefly concerns the uncouth and arbitrary…minded charioteer who
controlled the movements of the vehicle to which the one whom I was
seeking had explicitly referred； for at an angle in the road he suffered the
horses to draw us aside into a path which did not correspond to the
engraved signs upon the card； nor by any word of persuasion could he be
prevailed upon to return。
Thus； without any possible reproach upon the manner in which I was
conducting the enterprise； it came about that by the time I reached the spot
indicated； all those persons who had been spoken of as constituting a
chosen band were assembled； and with them the barbarian princess。
Nevertheless； this person was irreproachably greeted； and the maiden
indicated even spoke a few words to him in an outside tongue。 Being
necessarily unacquainted with the import of the remark I spread out my
hands with a sign of harmonious sympathy and smiled agreeably； whereat
she appeared to receive an added esteem from the faces of those around
（excluding those directly of the House of Glidder）； and was thereby
encouraged to speak similarly at intervals； this person each time replying
in a like fashion。
〃Is he then a Guide of the Way； also； princess？〃 said the one Pash； who
had noted the occurrence； to which the maiden replied； 〃To a degree； yet
lacking the Innermost Mysteries。〃
Presently it was announced that all things were fittingly prepared in
another chamber。 Here； upon a table of polished wood； stood on the one
side a round stone with certain markings； a group of inscribed books； and
various other emblems； and on the other side a bowl of water； a sphere of
crystal； pieces of unwritten parchment； and behind all； and at a distance
away； a sheet of transparent glass； greater in height than an ordinary
person and as wide。 When all were seatedthe one who had enticed me
among them placing himself before the stone； the person Pash guarding
the books； the barbarian princess being surrounded by her symbols and
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alone in a self…imposed solitude； and the others at various pointsthe
lights were subdued and the appearances awaited。
It would scarcely be respectful； O my enlightened father； to take up
your well…spent leisure by a too prolific account of the matters which
followed； they being in no way dissimilar from the manifestations by
which the uninitiated little ones of Yuen…ping are wont to amuse
themselves and pass the winter evenings。 From time to time harmonious
sounds could be plainly detected； flowers and branches of wood were
scattered sparsely here and there； persons claimed that passing objects had
touched their faces； and misshapen forms of smoke…like density （which
some confidently recognised as the outlines of departed ones whom they
had known）； revealed themselves against the glass。 When this had been
accomplished； the lights were recalled； and the barbarian maiden； sinking
into a condition of languor； announced and foretold events and happenings
upon which she was consulted； sometimes replying by spoken words； at
others suffering her hand to trace them lightly upon the parchment sheets。
Thus； to an inquirer it was announced that one； Aunt Mary； in the Upper
Air； was well and happy； though undeniably pained at the action of Cousin
William in the matter of
